I just saw a Kodiak 450, same price as the 400. It has a diff. locker and looks a little bigger. I also noticed they enclosed the rear brake disc with a metal housing. Has anyone out there bought one? How does it compare to the 400? Should I trade in my Y2Kodiak for one? Thanks.

Mark.

 

a guy on the highlifter forum said that the power difference isn't noticable at all. 401cc <u>vs.</u>423cc the size is the same, it may look bigger with the new maxxis tires

 

Thanks for the info. I can't believe that the 450 is really only a 423. How can the call it a 450. I guess the suspesion upgrades are the only real difference. I think I'll just keep mine for now. If it really had more power, then it might be worth it.

 

the 450 honda is right around the same size as the kodiak.
3vt&gt;&gt; what do you mean the 400 kodiak vibrates, you ever been on the old 600 grizz?? now that's vibration. i agree with the width thing, my brother's 450 is a lot more stable when railing around corners at 50mph
my kodiak when 56.25mph (it might have been vibrating then lol)

 

I am curious where you guys are getting this info about the 450 being wider? My dealer said it was phyiscally the same as the 400.I went into Yamahas website and the dimensions are exactly the same for the 400 and the 450....48.5 wheelbase...78.1..42.7..44.1...and 32.6 for the seat height.The main thing you lose now on the 400 is low range.As far as the brake shield it has to help.I have a 2000 and it eats rear brakes.My guess is the mud and sand gets on the rotor and just grinds it.I also had the waterpump problem.Yamaha must have been listening because they fixed these designs right away.My guess is the performance will be VERY close.My 2000 will do 54-55...thats on my buddies speedo and the gps.
2000 Kodiak
1998 wolverine

 

3vt&gt;&gt; yes i've ridden the p650, what a power house, for a 4X4 (not being sarcastic either) the engine breaking is strong too. i'm just saying that the KOD isn't a big vibrater, their are worse.

kodiac1&gt;&gt; what is the water pump problem?? mine was leaking anti-freeze around the water pump, but it was a slow leak, put some rad goop in it and it fixed the problem. is this the problem you're talking about???

 

Hey Rincon....that waterpump problem was on the early models (see mine) lol.The early pumps did not have the nipple and clear tube on the seep hole.I did not see what year yours was but I believe even some early 2001's had the old style pump also.If its leaking this is what it is.Dirt can get into the hole and then it grinds the shaft and then the seal will not work.My advice is get the new assy and forget about repairing yours....it will happen again SOON.If you order the pump assy you get the updated one.I think it was about $140.00.It's not bad to install.I called Yamaha and asked if they would pay for the parts since I felt 400 miles was a little early for a failure and they said they were not aware of a problem.....I reminded them they WERE aware since they redesigned the damn part mid year...AHHHHHHHHHHGH!Other than that and the brakes wearing early this has been a bullitt proof machine.I will never but a new product first year again though.

 

mines a '00, and the sticker say nov. '99, so yup it's an early release model. fvck!

what does assy mean??

the nipple thing, do you mean like on the end of the overflow or seep hoose there is no one way valve or flapper?? it hasn't leaked agian, and it never did that bad in the first place anyways. 140 american= 220 cdn, that's a fair bit of money. the stuff is working now, but i might have to get a new one.

thanks for the advice, now i know what i'm into

 

Sorry....assy is short for assembly where I work.The nipple deal is where the hose slips on for the tube.If your waterpump has a clear tube hanging down you have the new style pump.....if not it's the old one.

 

So, my question is...is the 450 worth the extra $500.00, from what i have read the only differnce is the addition of a high/low range, the rear brake upgrade, and the differential lock (3 stage on-command, as compared to 2 stage on the 400), Next week i plan to trade in the big bear on either one of these two models or the prairie 360. i need some input.

--thanks, mcbride